The Rising Dangers of Cocaine Laced With Fentanyl
Legacy Healing Center Blog
The Rising Dangers of Cocaine Laced With Fentanyl
Recent years have highlighted the truly dangerous nature involved in the illicit drug trade. Not only are people at risk of overdosing on their substance of choice from the lack of medical regulation, but dealers have begun to partake in a risk-filled game in an attempt to increase profits. All around the country, instances of drugs being spiked with additives like fentanyl have seen a severe increase in overdose deaths in recent years. In this blog, Legacy Healing Center Fort Lauderdale is looking at the phenomenon of cocaine laced with fentanyl and why these scenarios are so alarming.
How Do Cocaine and Fentanyl Differ?
There are a number of ways that cocaine and fentanyl differ from one another. First, while both substances are powerfully addictive, cocaine is classified as a stimulant, while fentanyl is an opioid. The functions of these types are fundamentally different, with stimulant use being common in people looking for more energy, focus, and drive, a clear indicator of their classification as an “upper.” Opioids, on the other hand, can be prescribed medically in cases of pain relief and are responsible for binding to the opioid receptors in the brain. This produces a euphoric effect for the user that can leave them feeling relaxed and confused, with a slowing of bodily functions like breathing.
Another factor worth considering is the experience of withdrawal from either substance. Although stimulants don’t produce symptoms as severely as opioids do, it is likely that someone experiencing opioid withdrawal would exhibit symptoms similar to those a person high on stimulants would experience. While opioids are typically taken to produce feelings of relaxation, coming down from them can make a person appear jittery, agitated, and unable to sleep.
Anyone struggling through such withdrawals is encouraged to contact our detox center in Fort Lauderdale. Our team of clinical professionals can ensure that you withdraw from either opioids or cocaine in a safe, medically monitored environment.
The Risk That Is Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine
Recent years have seen a severe spike in the instances of cocaine laced with fentanyl. This could be done for a number of reasons, mainly related to the potency involved with the latter drug. It is believed that dealers elect to spike their supply with traces of fentanyl in an attempt to heighten their effects. This, in turn, leads to higher chances of addiction in their clients, lining their own pockets with more of these vulnerable individuals’ money. The biggest issue with this is that someone who is unaware that they are partaking in polysubstance abuse is much more likely to react to the drugs negatively.
The average cocaine user will most likely not be physically used to processing opioids in their system, let alone one as powerful as fentanyl. This greatly heightens the risk that they can overdose. What makes this even more likely is that someone abusing stimulants may not think to carry naloxone, a drug that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose. As a result, overdose rates have risen exponentially over the last few years, leaving government and medical professionals scrambling to keep up.
What is important to remember is that if someone is abusing either of these drugs, obtaining them from a dealer is like playing Russian roulette with their physical and mental health. It is also why our Legacy’s Fort Lauderdale rehab offers cocaine and fentanyl addiction treatment. Our team seeks to aid these individuals in overcoming their dependencies and prioritizing their overall well-being free from the grasp of these dangerous substances.
To learn more about the treatment options available, call Legacy Healing’s intake specialists at 888-534-2295 today.
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